Despite speculation of a March return against WBO champion Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua appears dedicated to keeping all of his belts, meaning a WBAmandatory defence could be first up. Speaking at a press conference after his win over the tough Carlos Takam, Joshua said,

“I’m just focusing on keeping my belts. Whoever that is in the WBA list, that is who I have to fight unless I am told otherwise. Do I give up belts so I get can get one particular fight. If I did, then after that it’s what do I do now?

My next three fights will include an obligation where I have to defend the WBA belt. This is about the next 15 fights, the next five or 10 years. It’s a long-term strategy. I want to keep my belts by any means.”

Trying to hold all the belts is a notoriously tricky task, with the various governing bodies all wanting mandatory defences fought, and with different fighters rated in their top ten. The WBA are discussing a final eliminator in December between Alexander Povetkin and Christian Hammer. While there is desire for Joshua to fight Parker, Wilder of even Tyson Fury, a Povetkin fight, who also knocked out Carlos Takam in ten round, would be a good test.

It remains to be seen what will play out, but it is admirable of Joshua to want to keep the belts and unify the division.